Yikes. That is a noticeable difference. I always bought mine as kiloware. I had a (very very) small catalogue where I could look up prices and values, but it was more for curiosity than research value. I don't know if we could have afforded the expensive kinds of stamps. My parents got me into it for the educational value, I think. Which Is fine - and I appreciate very much That said, There is certainly education value in checking prices and seeing how they change. Just a different kind of education.
It certainly has at the moment, but we are all in the grip of a world wide recession, like most things it will be cyclic and pick up again I am sure.
Yes, Tu7, that's a good point. I check reddit for ideas to post, tweet etc and there's a lot of mockery about philately. I don't read the posts, but see them all the time. So it seems youth today aren't into it. However, as people age their views mature and they become more interested in this kind of pursuit. Then it will come to the foreground once more.
Well, Tu7, if this article is any indication, you're quite correct and things are looking good for the future of philately. http://www.vcstar.com/news/2013/apr/05/john-weigle-dozens-of-children-turn-out-for-day/
